Transcutaneous analyte sensor

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

1. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:
 providing an assembly for inserting the analyte sensor into the host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host's skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises the analyte sensor, wherein the analyte sensor is configured to be inserted into a host responsive to activation of a trigger; 
 affixing an adhesive pad located on an underside of the housing to the host; 
 inserting the sensor into the host while the housing is affixed to the host; and 
 automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasably mating an electronics unit with the housing. 
     
     
       3. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:
 providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host's skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into a host responsive to activation of a trigger; 
 inserting the sensor into the host 
 releasably mating an electronics unit with the housing by slide-fitting the electronics unit into a recess in the housing before sensor insertion; and 
 automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion. 
 
     
     
       4. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:
 providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host's skin and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into a host responsive to activation of a trigger; 
 inserting the sensor into the host; and 
 operably connecting the electronics unit with the sensor and automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after sensor insertion, wherein the automatic release of the applicator is responsive to or simultaneous with the operable connection of the sensor with the electronics unit. 
 
     
     
       5. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:
 providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host's skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises a sensor configured to be inserted into a host responsive to activation of a trigger; 
 inserting the sensor into the host; 
 releasably mating an electronics unit over at least a portion of the housing, wherein the mating of the electronics unit with the housing is performed before the sensor insertion; and 
 automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after the sensor insertion. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasing a safety latch mechanism prior to sensor insertion. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is further provided with a needle carrying at least a portion of the sensor, and wherein inserting the sensor comprises inserting the needle carrying the sensor into the host and removing the needle from the host thereby leaving the sensor inserted in the host. 
     
     
       8. A method for inserting an analyte sensor in a host, comprising:
 providing an assembly for inserting an analyte sensor into the host, wherein the assembly comprises an applicator releasably connected with a housing, wherein the housing is configured to be placed adjacent to the host's skin, and wherein the assembly further comprises the analyte sensor, wherein the analyte sensor is configured to be inserted into a host; 
 placing the assembly on a skin of the host, wherein placing comprises affixing an adhesive pad located on an underside of the housing to the host; 
 activating a trigger after the placing, wherein activating the trigger automatically causes the assembly to insert the sensor into the host; and 
 automatically releasing the applicator from the housing after the insertion of the sensor.